noun
Noun form of 言い返す, often implying a sharp or defiant reply.
彼の言い返しにはいつも驚かされる。
I'm always surprised by his retorts.
上司に言い返しをするのは難しい。
It's hard to talk back to your boss.
Compound of 言い (continuative form of 言う 'to say') + 返し (continuative form of 返す 'to return').